Javier S. Medina

From his quaint studio and workshop in Madrid’s Malasaña district, Javier Sanchez Medina is making a name for himself as one of the city’s most exciting young artisans.

Using natural materials including woven grass and bamboo, he crafts a characterful collection of animal heads – including bulls, rhinos and buffalos – and repurposed furniture that has won plaudits and admirers across Europe.

“These pieces are very much of my country. The bulls’ heads are a nod to a national symbol without the dead animals – it’s a way of having an ecological trophy of sorts.”Javier S. Medina

Hailing from Extremadura, he picked up age-old crafting techniques from family members and started making his first pieces from home while working as a fireman. When business started to pick up he decided to dedicate himself fully to the project. “When I began it was more of a hobby but a year and a half ago I started to receive a number of orders,” says Medina. “This was when I realised I needed to separate home from work. I found this space in Madrid and started the business.”

Since arriving in the capital in 2014, his ascent has been rapid. “I started to build up momentum with articles in design and architecture magazines that resulted in me receiving a lot more orders as people began to recognise me as a brand and believe in the product.” Social media lies at the heart of Medina’s business, used to both display his products as well as give context to his business. Yet as a one-man team, overseeing everything from designing and producing the products through to processing and packing orders, Medina’s time is precious.

When orders come in, it often takes a week minimum to turn them around, meaning there’s rarely time to get ahead. Bloombees has been helping him to recover this valuable resource – especially by using the tool to capture instant commerce via social media.

¿Por qué Bloombees?

Previously, would-be customers would spot his pieces on Facebook or Instagram (where he has more than 2,500 followers), get in touch via a private message and place an order on email; all of which required Medina to be quick to respond in order to secure the sale. The streamlined functions of the app have changed this.